Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 12th [1] International Yoga Day celebrations in Kolkata on Sunday, urging people to make yoga a regular part of life.
The event emphasizes the transition of yoga from a ceremonial annual observance to a sustainable daily practice. By promoting healthy ageing and inclusivity, the initiative seeks to improve public health outcomes across different generations.
Thousands [2] of participants gathered at the Red Road venue in Kolkata to join the Prime Minister in the exercises. During the event, Modi said that yoga can unite the entire world [3]. He encouraged citizens to ensure the practice extends to their families, and future generations, to create a lasting legacy of wellness.
A primary focus of this year's celebration was the relationship between yoga and the ageing process. Modi said that when speaking of yoga for healthy ageing, the goal is to work to ensure that age does not reduce human potential [4]. This perspective frames yoga as a tool for maintaining physical and mental capability into later life.
Modi said that the objective is to make yoga a part of our lives [5]. The Prime Minister highlighted the practice as a unifying force that transcends national borders and cultural differences, positioning it as a bridge for international cooperation.
The 12th [1] edition of the global event continues to promote the integration of traditional Indian practices into modern health routines. The Kolkata gathering served as a central hub for these celebrations, combining mass participation with a specific call for lifelong health maintenance.
“Yoga can unite the entire world.”
The emphasis on 'healthy ageing' suggests a strategic shift in public health messaging to address the needs of an ageing population. By framing yoga as a means to preserve human potential, the Indian government is positioning a traditional cultural practice as a scalable solution for geriatric wellness and global diplomacy.
